Montgomery College celebrated its Butterfly Indicator Program on Thursday at its Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, recognizing an initiative that allows students with non-apparent disabilities to add a butterfly symbol to their college identification cards.
The butterfly serves as a visual indicator that a student may benefit from additional patience, support or a different approach to communication. The program was inspired by Maryland’s Eric’s ID Law, enacted in 2025 following advocacy by Eric Carpenter-Grantham and his mother, Linda Carpenter-Grantham.
Although the state law does not apply to higher education institutions, Montgomery College adopted its intent by offering the butterfly designation to students at no cost and without requiring medical documentation.
“The butterfly reminds us that we cannot see a disability by looking at someone,” Eric Carpenter-Grantham said. “Behind every disability, there is a person with a story, a purpose, a future and wings that are ready to fly.”
The celebration included remarks from Montgomery College leadership and Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, who praised the initiative and the Carpenter-Granthams’ advocacy.
Students can obtain the butterfly designation at any Montgomery College Public Safety ID office. The college also plans to expand awareness and training among faculty and staff to better support students with non-apparent disabilities.
